Neck for musical instruments



Feb.27, 1923.

T. J. M HUGH NECK FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS F1 ld Apr. 5, 1921 a a 0 aPatented Feb. 27, 1923.

UNITED STATES 1,446,758 PATENT OFFICE.-

THADDEUS J'. MOHUG-H, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO GIBSONMANDOLIN- GUITAR COMPANY, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OFMICHIGAN.

NECK FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed April 5,

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THADDEUS J. Mc- HUGH, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Kalamazoo, county of Kalamazoo,

State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inNecks for Musical Instruments, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in necks for musical instruments.

The main objects of this invention are:

First. To provide an improved neck for stringed instruments, which is soconstructed that it is not likely to spring or warp under the strains towhich it is subjected in use, and one which should warped, may bestraightened.

Second. To provide an improved neck for stringed instruments which maybe adjusted or sprung to adjust or regulate the distance of the stringsfrom the keyboard.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, willdefinitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification. The invention is clearlydefined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing. forming a part of thisspecification, in which Fig. I is a front view of a neck portion of aguitar embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. II is a central longitudina section on a line corresponding to 2 2of Figs. I and IV, the truss rod being shown in full lines forconvenience in illustrating.

Fig. III is an enlarged transverse section on a line corresponding toline of Fig. 2.

Fig. IV is an enlarged transverse section on a line corresponding toline 4-4 of Fig. 2.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar partsthroughout the several views. and the sectional views are taken lookingin the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

. Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the body of the instrument. and2, the neck thBIeOf;

My improved neck comprises a body portion 3 while... has a. central.longitudinal;

it become 1921. Serial No. 458,651.

channel 4 formed in its upper side. The bottom 5 of this channel isupwardly curved.

I arrange a truss rod 6 in the channel, the truss rod being curved tocorrespond to the bottom of the channel. At the ends of the channel arerecesses T-and 8 adapted to re ceive the washers and adjusting nuts 9and 10, the nuts being threaded upon the ends of the truss rod so thatit may be tensioned and adjusted.

A filler strip 11 is arranged in the channel over the truss rod, and thefinger board 19. covers this.

A removable cover plate 13 is provided for the recess 8. The cover platemay be removed to afford access to the nut 10 for tensioning the trussrod.

By this arrangement of parts, I provide a neck for stringed instrumentswhich is not likely to warp or spring under severe strains, and onewhich should it become warped or sprung may be readily adjusted toremove the spring, and also to adjust the position of the strings 14relative to the finger board. The pull of the strings tends to swing theouter end of the neck upward thereby swinging the fingerboard away fromthe strings. As I have arranged the truss it provides for the adjustmentof the neck to bring the fingerboard into proper relation to the keys,that is, the action of the truss is to bow the center of the neck upward.

By. this arrangement of parts, I am also enabled to use wood which hasnot been heretofore considered satisfactory for the manufacture ofnecks, on account of its not having sufiicient strength and rigidity,and further, great care in selecting stock is not necessary.

Havingthus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A neck for stringed instruments, comprising a body member having acentral ongitudinal channel in the upper side thereof. the bottom ofsaid channel being upwardly curved, there being recesses at the ends ofthe channel, a truss rod di in said channel and provided with anadjusting nut at one end, and a filler strip secured in said channelabove said truss rod, said rod bein of such gage and character as tosustain the compression streme's thereon.

2. Aneck for stringed instrimients, cornprising a body member having-acentral longitudinal channel in the upper side thereof,

the bottom of said channel being upwardly prisingn body member having a.longitudiinal'oli'anne'l in rod disposed in said with an ndjusting nutat one end, and a filler the upper side thereof, a truss channel andprovided strip secured insaidchennelnbove said truss rod, said rod heingor silich gage and character as to sustain the compression stressesthereon.

.4. A neck for stringed instruments havg longitudinal channel therein,the hottoin of said channel being curved, a truss rod disposed in saidchannel and curved to correspond to the curved hot-tom thereof and pro'iided with adjusting meaiis, and a filler strip disposed in saidehanneieversaid truss rod, said rod osing of such gauge and character asto sustain the compression stresses thereon.

5. A neck for stringed instruments hava longitudinal channel therein,the bottom of said channel being curved, a. truss rod disposed in saidchannel and curved to correspond to the curved bottom thereof andprovided with adjusting means, said rod being of such gage and characteras to sustain the compression stresses thereon.

6. A neck for stringed musical instrumen "shaving a. longitudinalchannel in the upper side thereof, a. trus rod disposed in said channeland provided with adjusting means and a filler strip disposed in saidchannel above said truss rod, said rod being of such gage and characteras'to sustain the compression stresses thereon. V

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presenceof two Witnesses.

THADDEUS J. MQHUGH. [1,. 5.]

Witnesses:

LITELLA G. Gnnnnrnann. Manonnntr L. GLAseo'w.

